Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 10 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
10 reports
100,000 miles · Mar 18, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL7. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES LOCKED WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A SWERVING VEHICLE. TWO OF THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE RIGHT. THE HOSES ALSO BLEW OUT AND LEFT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY BRAKES. THE D…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL7. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES LOCKED WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A SWERVING VEHICLE. TWO OF THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE RIGHT. THE HOSES ALSO BLEW OUT AND LEFT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY BRAKES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V452000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR). THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $200 TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10262245
77,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Seat BeltsInjury
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT TWISTED AROUND THE CHILD'S WAIST. AS A RESULT, THE CHILD WAS TRAPPED FOR 7 HOURS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE CHILD. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10067170
2,800 miles · Apr 26, 2004
Tires
WHILE DRIVING, ALL 4 TIRES MALFUNCTIONED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRIDGESTONE, 235/60R16. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10071510
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
LETTER REQUESTING REPORTS RELATED TO THE DEFECT ON THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE OF THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA ND GRAND VITARA XL-7. *PH CONSUMER HAD TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE CONSUMER WITH REPORTS AND INFORMATION WITH THE COMPONENT. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10066953
35,500 miles · Mar 12, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NHTSA 03V51200 REGARDING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CASING CAP. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063106
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2003
Exterior Lighting
LIGHTS DIM/BLINK WHEN VEHICAL IS SHIFTED TO ANOTHER GEAR. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THIS IS NORMAL DUE TO THE LOWER VOLTAGE SUPPLIED BY ALTERNATOR AT LOW RPM. THIS SOMETIMES IS DANGEROUS AT NIGHT WHEN ONES GOES TO SHIFT AND LIGHTS DIM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10047715
23,500 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION MAKES HUGE GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE - THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN WRITING BY AUTHORIZED SUZUKI SERVICE CENTER AS NORMAL YET SOUND. NLY OCCURRED IN 24TH MONTH OF OWNERSHIP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10032877
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
A BURNING ODOR IN THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP TWICE. HAVE SPOKEN WITH SUZUKI COMPANY WHO HAS TOLD ME TO CONTINUE TAKING IT TO DEALER. THE DEALER ONLY STEAM CLEANS THE ENGINE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10020968
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2002
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN LOCKING THE SEAT BELT BELT WILL GET STUCK, AND CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO TAKE BELT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8016119
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2001
Tires
CURRENT TIRES HAVE INSUFFICIENT WEAR RATINGS TO CARRY PASSENGER LOAD. CURRENT TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE (P235/70R16) WITH A RATING OF 300. CONSUMER FEELS THAT RATING ON TIRES SHOULD BE 400 TO 450. DEALER HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PRESSURE SHOULD BE LOWERED TO 28 PSI, CONSUMER FEELS THIS PSI IS LOWER THAN IT SHOULD BE. *AK …
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CURRENT TIRES HAVE INSUFFICIENT WEAR RATINGS TO CARRY PASSENGER LOAD. CURRENT TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE (P235/70R16) WITH A RATING OF 300. CONSUMER FEELS THAT RATING ON TIRES SHOULD BE 400 TO 450. DEALER HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PRESSURE SHOULD BE LOWERED TO 28 PSI, CONSUMER FEELS THIS PSI IS LOWER THAN IT SHOULD BE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #885669
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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